7. How are the minerals absorbed by the plants?
Process of mineral absorption by plants
Minerals are absorbed by cells of the root apex, zone of elongation and root hairs. The minerals absorbed by root hair zone are meant for passage to shoot while the ones absorbed by root apex and zone of elongation remain in the root. The process of mineral absorption is an active process. It occurs in two phases i.e. initial phase and metabolic phase. The initial phase is a passive process wherein ions absorbed from the outside pass in outer or free space of the cells. It comprises intercellular spaces and cell walls i.e. apoplast. The metabolic phase is an active process wherein ions enter the cytoplasm and cell vacuoles i.e symplast. The movement of ion is called flux. The inward movement is called influx and outward movement is called efflux.